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EAST PALESTINE -- Voters in the village supported two charter amendments on the General Election ballot Tuesday.
The amendments recommended by the Charter Review Committee and Village Council included the replacement of newspaper publication requirements as listed in several sections of the Charter to publication on the village's official website; and changing how a member of council can be removed.
"These Charter Amendments are very common sense improvements to the Charter that make day-to-day management of the Village more simple and efficient. This will improve day to day operations and further respect public funds," Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy said.
The amendment to replace newspaper publication requirements passed with 55 percent of the total vote, according to complete but unofficial results through the Columbiana County Board of Elections.
The amendment that would correct and clarify various typographical errors and change the requirement pertaining to removal of a council member passed with 71 percent of the total vote, or 1,033 yes votes to 415 no votes.
With the passage of the amendment, the village will now require two-thirds of the remaining members of council to approve the removal of a member of council.
Two-thirds would mean four council members must approve the removal.
Currently, unanimous approval must be given by the remaining members of council.
Diaz-Guy previously explained that the change will strengthen the legal objectivity of circumstances that would warrant removal of a council member, such as habitual absences or tardiness, serious misconduct, or failure to perform official duties.